Little tidbits of my life

First Quilting Challenge UPDATE Two weeks into the challenge...

This message is for the other 9 participants of the FIRST Quilting Challenge, a WINTER THEMED block exchange:

FIRST:  A little tip for you regarding my blocks to you:

If you want your block from me to be extra special, please post your favorite pic on your blog sometime VERY soon that depicts what you love the most, be it your children, your family, your favorite pet, just whatever  you are thankful for that can be put in a picture...and I prefer it to look "Christmasy", or at least "wintery" via long sleeves or SOMETHING...not gonna tell my idea, just thought your block would be EXTRA special if I personalize it as part of my plan...

NEXT:  TWO WEEKS AND COUNTING:

So have you other 9 participants made at least 2 blocks yet for the First Quilting Challenge - Winter Blocks Exchange???

I HAVE NOT MADE THE FIRST BLOCK!!!  My ceiling fan/light in my sewing fan shorted out exactly two weeks ago.  My hubby FINALLY installed a new one last night, so NOW I have NO MORE EXCUSES!!! 

Don't get me wrong, my procrastination is not a symbol that I don't want to do this...I'm EXCITED about this exchange!  I just look more forward to the blocks I'm gonna get than the blocks I am gonna make!  I know, I know...it's better to give than to receive...I totally understand and appreciate that...I usually prefer the joy of giving to others...I guess it's just kinda like how as a child, you get excited the night before Christmas to see what inventive idea "Santa" has come up with this year...that's kinda how I feel.  I enjoy creativity and I love surprises. 

I also NEVER start a project unless my mind can grasp its total completion.  This is just how God made me.  That being said, I've had TWO WEEKS now to VISUALIZE each person's block!!!  SO NOW I'M READY AND LOOKING SO FORWARD TO GETTING STARTED ON THE BLOCKS!!!

I hope it's going well for you.  Let me know!

Love to all,

Teresa

NOTICE!!! Quilt Challenge Update 10 blocks, not 9!!!

Quilt Challenge Participants List...UPDATED-ADD 1 more!

Update NOTE:  Since I first posted this, I have received 1 more verification of a participant...so 10 blocks, not 9!!! Make that 10 weeks till deadline, not 9...so deadline to mail the blocks to Chas is now Sept. 26!!!

The First Quilt Challenge has OFFICIALLY STARTED!!!!

Okay, it looks like we are officially ready to start making our blocks for the First Quilt Challenge! I have alloted enough time for you to make one block a week for the next nine 10 weeks!  The deadline to mail the blocks to Chas, Senior Editor is September 19  26, 2008. 

I have a list of nine ten participants for this block exchange.  If you signed up, but do not see your name (or blog name) on the list below, please let me know ASAP so that I can notify all the other participants.  The list is as follows:

1 StitchesbyTeresa (me)

2 Liz (my mom!)

3 Chas

4 Gabbie427

5 LindseyinAl

6 PatinTenn

7 Elliepea

8 Momma25js

9 fcusick

10 vgauthier

Again, based on 9 10 participants, you have until September 19 26, 2008 to make your 9 10 blocks!  Keep 1 block for yourself and mail the others to Chas, Senior Editor.  As soon as you finish your blocks, please contact Chas and she will give you the address to mail them.  Email Chas, Senior Editor by clicking here.

Chas lives near me, so we will work together to get these returned quickly.  I hope we can have our final projects completed before the Christmas rush gets here!

If you need to view the instructions again, just click here. 

If you have any problems, please let me know because I want this to be fun for all, not feel like homework (for those who did not like homework)!!! 

Thank you so much for participating and I look forward to getting my blocks!!!

Teresa

Quilting Challenge Deadline Reminder

REMINDER!  You have ONE MORE DAY to sign up for the FIRST QUILTING CHALLENGE!  Deadline to sign up is Thursday, July 16, 2008!  To sign up, just leave me a comment that you want to participate, or PM me!

Nine folks have signed up to date.

For more info on the challenge, click here!

Thanks and I look forward to your blocks!

Teresa

Update on Quilt Challenge (Deadline to Sign up is Thursday, July 17)

Nine people have signed up for the First Quilt Challenge so far!  Deadline to sign up is this Thursday, July 17.

For details of the First Quilt Challenge, just click here!

Either leave me a comment, or a PM if you would like to participate!  If you do not blog here, please send your email address to me so I can keep you updated once the challenge begins!

This will be SO fun!

Teresa

First Quilting Challenge starts July 17...please let me know if you want to participate!!!

DETAILS FOR FIRST QUILTING CHALLENGE: (This is going to be so much fun!!!!)  You might want to print these instructions for your convenience.

So far, 5 people have expressed interest in participating in the first Quilt Challenge.  I have spoken w/Chas, Senior Editor and she is going to participate and assist me with the challenge.  If you want to participate, please let me know ASAP by leaving a comment or by pm me. 

Deadline for SIGNING UP: one TWO weeks from today (which will be Thursday, July 10 17).  To sign up, just leave me a comment on this post, or pm me.

Quilting Challenge:  I received a suggestion of exchanging blocks for our first quilt challenge and I LOVE this idea!  To assure safety and security of each involved, all blocks will be mailed to Chas, Senior Editor.  I know we are like a family here, but since it is the internet, I felt this was the best and most secure way to address this issue.

NOW, for the actual details of the challenge:

Theme:  WINTER!  Be as creative and original as you can.  Your inspiration can be whatever this word means to you (snow, Christmas, sledding, cold, stark, just whatever!

Block dimensions:  12 1/2 inches x 12 1/2 inches...this INCLUDES 1/4 inch seam allowance, so please do not extend designs beyond 12 inches x 12 inches (else it will be hidden in the seam allowance when pieced)

# of BLOCKS:  Make as many blocks as there are participants in the challenge (example, if 12 sign up, you will need to make 12 blocks total, 1 for yourself and 11 for the 11 other participants).  On Friday, July 11 18, I will send a message to all participants of the total # of blocks needed from each participant.  Each of your blocks can be all exactly alike, or each one can be different...your choice since you have to make more than one block. 

SIGNATURE:  If you would like to sign each of your blocks with your blog name, you may do so...examples:  sign in stitches, embroidery, or with permanent pen...just make sure your signature is permanent.  ALSO, make sure your signature is not in the seam allowance.  This signature will make our finished projects more special!

Type of Design:  You can choose whatever method you prefer to make your blocks.  examples:  can be a pieced block, applique, embroidery, pictorial, just whatever you choose.  Since you will have to make several blocks, you can make each of your blocks exactly alike, or all different, just whatever you prefer! 

Note:  If you are not comfortable creating the blocks yourself, feel free to pm me for ideas/patterns/individual help.

Time Limit:  Beginning on July 11 18, you will have up to one week for each block, I will announce on Friday, July 11 18 the total number of blocks needed and number of weeks before deadline to turn in blocks. 

Block Distribution:  You will need to include a self addressed, stamped large envelope with your blocks (just use same amount of postage on this envelope that was needed for you to mail all your blocks to Chas).  Mail all blocks to Chas, Senior Editor.  She will soon send you the address to mail the blocks.  Once Chas receives all block entries, she and I will have up to a week to sort the blocks.  Chas will then mail your exchanged blocks to you in the self-addressed stamped large envelope you provided.  (I will keep you posted on my blog and PMs)

Note:  You will keep 1 block for yourself and mail all other blocks to Chas, Senior Editor.

Finished Project Guidelines:  For this first challenge, I will not specify guidelines. You can use your received blocks in any way you prefer.  Examples:  wall hanging, bed quilt, table runner...just whatever you choose.  You can add whatever fabrics you choose to finish your project, no specifications.  Use whatever batting and backing you prefer for this project.  (AGAIN, if you prefer to be given a pattern or idea, just PM me and I will be glad to assist on an individual basis)

Finished Project Picture Guidelines:  Once you finish the project, please send a digital picture of completed project to Chas, Senior Editor ASAP.  DO NOT BLOG ANY PICTURES OF YOUR PROJECT UNTIL AFTER HOMESTEAD BLOGGER HAS POSTED ALL COMPLETED PROJECT PICS ON THE WEBSITE FIRST!  After homestead blogger has posted the pictures of all completed projects, then you may blog to your heart's content regarding the first quilting challenge.

NOTE:  So far, there are 5 participants, so if you would like to go ahead and begin making blocks now, you know you will need to make a minimum of 5 blocks.  Please feel free to get a head-start on the blocks. 

Quilting Challenge Idea...ANYONE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING???

Is anyone interested in participating in a quilting challenge (just among us bloggers)?

I've had the idea floating around in my head for awhile, but was not sure how to get it started, or how many would want to be involved.  If anyone here is in a quilter's guild, maybe you have done this before?  I have never been part of a guild, but I saw the results of some BEAUTIFUL challenges when I went to the American Quilters Society (AQS) Annual Quilting Show in Nashville for the past 2 Augusts in a row.  I would love to go to Paducah some day, but that's a WHOLE other blog subject!!!  

I am not going to post the challenge today, but in case you are not familiar with a quilt challenge, I would list guidelines (example:)must be a maximum size, maybe certain themes have to be presented in the quilt (such as animal, flower, kitchen, etc), maybe have to use a minimum # of assorted fabrics (or a maximum), or only two colors could be used (but various shades of each can be used), maybe at least one applique must be used...just whatever.  There should also be a deadline for entries, and then maybe we could post all of the pics of finished quilts together.  It would be interesting to see our creative idea variations based on a set criteria and IMAGINATION! 

I am not sure about prizes, etc. as this is the first time I've brought forth the idea and I have not thought that far ahead yet.  Ideas along these lines are WELCOME!

Does that help clarify?  Is it clear as mud yet? 

ALSO, feel free to send me your own ideas/experience with such an idea before I actually post the challenge on here.  Maybe you could give me an idea of when you think the deadline should be.  I am not sure what folks' schedules are like, but it seems most people prefer to quilt during the colder season???

I'm looking forward to hearing from you! 

Have a great weekend.